Avery Trace: My Notta Time Trial
The Velo Vixens arrived in force for the Avery Trace Cycling Classic, fielding our champion Gina Tolbert, Dreama, Lisa, Cathi, Leah and myself. With one exception, it was like the Women's Cat4 Dream Team assembled at the line to release with the Cat1-3 women and Masters 50+ men.
That one exception was me. Some folks are simply not built to climb, and this again was a climbers race. As a result, I really can't give a great amount of detail about how the race went. I wasn't close enough to see it. The results cannot be denied though, with Velo Vixens sweeping the Cat4 women's standings, taking places 1-5, and myself coming in a few minutes later for 7th place. Gina took 2nd overall, beating all but one of the Cat 1-3 women. The other Vixens came in together, having worked hard to drop another girl along the way.
As for me, after the first two hills I found myself dropped off and riding alone. I was aware of at least two Cat 4 women behind me and had no desire to slow down to work with them, they were better on the climbs and this race ended on a climb. So, my race was a long, drawn out time trial. Unable to bridge the gap to the other girls (I could occasionally see them ahead for a while between the climb I lost them on and the next climb where they gained time on me again) and with no one to take shifts, I settled into a good tempo, occasionally giving myself a nice little power interval to break up the monotony and gain a little momentum. By the time I reached the final climb to the finish there were no women in sight.
Of course, I was also trying to save some leg for the evening time trial. I'd entered that figuring it was a somewhat better course for me and would not afford the competition a nice draft off me to help speed them with minimum effort. It was my theoretical chance to shine.
Instead, my time on the road race sufficed as the time trial. A thunderstorm came through and after several delays, the course marshals were forced to cancel.
So, Vixens rule the road yet again. I think I've even found my next race. I'll be breaking away from the team plan to hit a race a bit more suited to my riding strengths. Stay tuned next month for my next race report!
That one exception was me. Some folks are simply not built to climb, and this again was a climbers race. As a result, I really can't give a great amount of detail about how the race went. I wasn't close enough to see it. The results cannot be denied though, with Velo Vixens sweeping the Cat4 women's standings, taking places 1-5, and myself coming in a few minutes later for 7th place. Gina took 2nd overall, beating all but one of the Cat 1-3 women. The other Vixens came in together, having worked hard to drop another girl along the way.
As for me, after the first two hills I found myself dropped off and riding alone. I was aware of at least two Cat 4 women behind me and had no desire to slow down to work with them, they were better on the climbs and this race ended on a climb. So, my race was a long, drawn out time trial. Unable to bridge the gap to the other girls (I could occasionally see them ahead for a while between the climb I lost them on and the next climb where they gained time on me again) and with no one to take shifts, I settled into a good tempo, occasionally giving myself a nice little power interval to break up the monotony and gain a little momentum. By the time I reached the final climb to the finish there were no women in sight.
Of course, I was also trying to save some leg for the evening time trial. I'd entered that figuring it was a somewhat better course for me and would not afford the competition a nice draft off me to help speed them with minimum effort. It was my theoretical chance to shine.
Instead, my time on the road race sufficed as the time trial. A thunderstorm came through and after several delays, the course marshals were forced to cancel.
So, Vixens rule the road yet again. I think I've even found my next race. I'll be breaking away from the team plan to hit a race a bit more suited to my riding strengths. Stay tuned next month for my next race report!
posted by WarKitty at
6:00 PM
3 Comments:
I am not a climber, either, though that just may be a matter of interest than build.
What makes a person built to climb?
By
Anonymous, at 7/09/2007 12:49 AM
Hi- Love your blog. I live and race in NYC now, but am contemplating a move back to Chattanooga this winter. . . my main concern was the existence of an active riding/racing scene for women. Thanks for writing!
By
Anonymous, at 8/08/2007 2:52 PM
Hey Jen, sorry I took so long to respond. If you come back to Chattanooga though, you'll have to look me up!
By
WarKitty, at 8/14/2007 8:53 PM
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